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The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination (BCECE) 2026 eligibility criteria outline the terms for application by candidates. It applies to those who wish to study undergraduate courses in pharmacy, health sciences, agriculture, and engineering in the state of Bihar.
- The candidate must have a valid domicile certificate of Bihar, with residents of the state being given preference at the time of admission.
- For BCECE 2026 eligibility, candidates must clear Class 12 with the required subjects.
- The minimum total percentage is 45% for the General category and 40% for the SC/ST/OBC category candidates.
- The minimum age for all courses is 17 years, except for Agriculture, where 16 years of age is permissible with no maximum age limit, making it accessible to all applicants regardless of age.
The official notification of BCECE 2026 will provide the exact BCECE exam dates, application dates, and deadlines. Candidates can apply online through the official BCECE website once the BCECE application form is released.
Key Summary
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This article makes the BCECE eligibility criteria clear so that the applicants can know who is eligible for the application.
- The applicants must have a domicile certificate of Bihar.
- They must have passed or be appearing in Class 12th or equivalent, with subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Biology, based on the course applied for.
- Minimum marks for general candidates are generally 45% and for reserve categories are 40% but some of the courses are lower, such as Agriculture.
- The age limit is a minimum of 17 years as on 31st December 2026, and there is no maximum age limit for the majority of the courses.
- Physical fitness is required for health courses, and the candidate is required to fulfill the nationality and domicile requirements.
Also Check:
- What is the BCECE Eligibility Criteria 2026?
1.1 BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Engineering Course
1.2 BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Pharmacy Course
1.3 BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Medical Course
1.4 BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry Courses
- BCECE Eligibility for Domicile Criteria
- BCECE Eligibility for Reservation Criteria
- BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Disability Quota
- BCECE Eligibility for Service Men’s Quota Reservation
- Mostly Asked Questions
What is the BCECE Eligibility Criteria 2026?
The BCECE Eligibility Criteria for 2026 require candidates to be residents of Bihar with a valid Bihar domicile certificate. They must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam with the required subjects. The minimum marks are 45% for the General category and 40% for the SC/ST/OBC category, depending on the course. The course-wise BCECE Eligibility criteria have been discussed below in detail for your reference.
BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Engineering Course
For the BCECE 2026 Engineering Course, candidates must have passed 12th with the required subjects and minimum marks and meet the medical fitness criteria. The table below mentions the BCECE eligibility criteria for the Engineering Course.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Education Qualification |
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| Age Limit |
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| Physical Test |
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BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Pharmacy Course
The table mentioned below shows the BCECE eligibility criteria for the Pharmacy Course.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Education Qualification |
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| Age Limit |
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| Physical Test |
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BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Medical Course
For the BCECE 2026 Medical Course, candidates should have completed Class 12 with PCB and English, meeting the minimum required marks. They must also clear a medical examination to ensure fitness for the program. The table shows the BCECE eligibility details for the 2026 Medical Course.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Education Qualification |
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| Age Limit |
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| Physical Test |
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BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry Courses
For BCECE 2026 Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry Courses, candidates need to have completed 12th with the specific subjects required for their chosen course and must be medically fit to pursue the program. The table below provides the detailed BCECE eligibility criteria for these courses.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Education Qualification |
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| Age Limit |
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| Physical Test |
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Also Check:
Candidates must be Indian nationals and meet at least one of the following conditions to apply for admission through BCECE 2026:
- Their parents are permanent residents of Bihar.
- Their parents are registered refugees living in Bihar.
- Their parents are residents of other states, but are employees of the Government of Bihar.
- Their parents were employees of the Government of Bihar before the state reorganization, and their employee cadre is still transferable between Bihar and Jharkhand.
- Their parents hold posts in the Government of India and are posted in Bihar or are employees of a central organization under a Public Sector Undertaking of the Government of India.
- Their parents are employees of the national union and are currently posted in Bihar.
- They are nominated by the Government of Bihar for seats reserved for candidates from abroad or from Indian states and union territories where technical education facilities are not available.
- These candidates must register as per Central Government norms and will be nominated by their respective state governments. They are not required to appear for BCECE 2026.
BCECE Eligibility for Reservation Criteria
The reservation of seats for admission through BCECE 2026 will follow the rules set by the Government of Bihar. Important instructions are given below:
- Citizens of Bihar who belong to reserved categories and have a valid caste certificate issued by the competent authority of the Government of Bihar will be eligible for reservation benefits.
- These candidates will be allotted seats reserved for their category in different colleges based on their merit within the category.
- Candidates who are not residents of Bihar cannot claim seats under reserved categories in colleges located in Bihar, as per government rules.
- The reserved categories for BCECE 2026 will be based on the list of SC/ST/EBC/BC approved by the Government of Bihar before the start of the online application process.
- 50% of the total seats will be open to candidates from the General Category.
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| General (GEN) | 50% |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 16% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 1% |
| Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) | 18% |
| Backward Classes (BC) | 12% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PWD) | 3% |
Note:
- If any seats are reserved for Bihar quota candidates in technical institutions (Engineering) outside Bihar, the details will be announced during counselling.
- Any reserved seats that remain vacant will be given to candidates from the General category.
BCECE Eligibility Criteria for Disability Quota
According to the BCECE Eligibility 2026, 3% of seats are reserved for candidates with disabilities (PWD). Eligible candidates must fulfill the mentioned guidelines and provide a valid disability certificate during the application.
- Reservation: 3% of total seats in each college are reserved for candidates under the Disability Quota. If the Government of Bihar issues any new rules before the online application starts, those rules will be followed.
- Disability Certificate: Candidates must get their certificate attested by the Chief Medical Officer or Medical Board. They also need to attach it to Part A and Part B of the application forms, along with a full-sized attested photograph. The certificate should mention the category, percentage, and status of disability.
- Eligibility for Courses: Candidates under the disability quota will be admitted only to programs where their disability does not prevent successful completion. Admission will be allowed only after a thorough medical check-up.
- Medical Check-up Fee: An additional fee will be charged for the medical check-up along with the counselling fee.
Also Check:
BCECE Eligibility for Service Men’s Quota Reservation
The Government of Bihar provides reservation under the Service Men’s Quota for sons and daughters of serving and ex-servicemen. The following table shows the eligibility criteria for BCECE 2026 under this quota.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility |
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| Merit List |
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| Documents Required |
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Also Read:
Mostly Asked Questions
Ques: Can a PCB student give the BCECE exam?
Ans: Yes, a PCB student can give the BCECE exam, but only if they are applying for courses that require Biology, such as MBBS, BDS, or other medical/paramedical courses.
For engineering or purely technical courses, PCB students would not be eligible, as those require PCM.
Ques: Can other state students apply for BCECE?
Ans: No, BCECE is primarily for candidates who are permanent residents of Bihar.
- Applicants need to have a Bihar domicile certificate to be eligible.
- Students from other states cannot apply unless they meet the specific domicile requirements set by the BCECE Board.
Ques: How many attempts for BCECE?
Ans: According to the BCECE eligibility criteria, there is no official limit on the number of attempts for the BCECE exam. Candidates can appear for the exam any number of times, as long as they meet the age and eligibility criteria.
Ques: How many courses are in BCECE?
Ans: BCECE offers admission to undergraduate courses in Bihar, mainly in these streams:
- Engineering (B. Tech / B.E.)
- Medical (MBBS / BDS / AYUSH courses)
- Pharmacy (B. Pharma / Pharma-D)
- Agriculture & Animal Husbandry
Ques: Does BCECE offer MBBS?
Ans: Yes, BCECE offers admission to MBBS and BDS courses through its Medical stream.
Ques: How many marks are needed to qualify for BCECE?
Ans: The qualifying marks for BCECE are:
- General: Around 45–50%
- Reserved categories: Around 40%
Marks may change each year based on the exam.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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